SADIC v1c8

Chapter 08

All the invited guests had gathered in the hall, and at last, the royal family made their entrance.

When it was finally her turn in the line of greetings, Liliana stepped forward and said,

“My name is Liliana, eldest daughter of the Villiers family.”

She completed her curtsy perfectly—a gesture that any etiquette teacher present would surely have praised—while keeping the visibly displeased First Prince at the edge of her vision without looking directly at him, and quickly returned to her spot along the wall.

It seemed certain that today’s matchmaking target was none other than the “Ice Prince,” First Prince William.

Prince William was reportedly exceptionally skilled with the sword and, believing it impossible to be protected by someone weaker than himself, had joined the royal guard and even begun training its members—a formidable individual, indeed… or so she had heard.

The reason it was “so she had heard” was because Liliana had absolutely no interest in princes and had only half-listened to such stories.

After the greetings concluded, Second Prince Austin and his fiancée, a marquis’s daughter, moved to the center and began dancing.

Following their lead, other guests gradually began to join in, and at last, Liliana took the opportunity to head toward the buffet.

As expected of a palace party, the spread of food was incredible, with so many delicious-looking dishes that she couldn’t decide where to start.

Several chefs stood in front of the dishes, so she politely requested small, neatly arranged portions on her plate.

Taking a seat in one of the chairs lined against the wall, she began sampling the food, delighting in the flavors, all the while observing her surroundings.

Since only guests of count rank or higher were present, the view was somewhat clearer than at a typical party.

As this was primarily a matchmaking event for the First Prince, there were very few eligible bachelors. Most young ladies were accompanied by their fathers, and only a handful, like Liliana, had brothers as escorts.

In addition, some married guests were invited to help liven up the event.

Throughout the entrance and the beginning of the party, the First Prince had remained stationary, radiating an unmistakable aura of displeasure or, perhaps more accurately, a warning to stay away.

Although the crown prince has not yet been officially decided, it was widely assumed that First Prince William would almost certainly become the heir, and his fiancée would thus become the crown princess (and future queen).

And to become crown princess, one would have to undergo a very tedious education. Well, best of luck to them. How many young ladies could even survive navigating that intimidating aura?

Just as her plate was emptied and she stood to get a refill, she noticed that, for some reason, the names of the marriageable young ladies—including her own—were being called one by one.

Reluctantly handing her plate back to a servant, she hurried slightly toward the front where the king and his family were seated.